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Topic Review (Newest First)

02-28-2009 12:39 AM

AdamLein

p.s. haven't been to Poulsbo, but we bought our C27 in December 2007 in Port Orchard. We sailed from there to Point Roberts in a couple of weekend trips, almost all in the winter. Beautiful area down there... looking forward to visiting again.

02-28-2009 12:37 AM

AdamLein

Advice about using an incandescent bulb as a heater is good. However they do emit UV so your stuff will decompose. Instead, put the bulb inside an opaque metal box.

In this case, "good heater" means "good enough for keeping condensation and mold down." But if you want to feel warm and toasty in the PNW, you'll need something with a bit more oomph.

Drafts are a big problem. My C27 has vents in the hatchboards, which we cover with canvas. She's also lacking proper shore power setup, so we run a power cable through a deck vent. Look around for avenues that cold air can use to spill into your boat.

As for storage space, I don't know what these guys are complaining about. If there's just one of you, you've got plenty of space, provided your life is not burdened with excess junk. The quarterberths on my C27 are massive; put the stuff you won't be using for a while all the way in the back -- but make sure they're in some sort of sealed bags. You can put those little packets of silica gel in the bags to keep the moisture down.

On my C27, we store seven sails inside the boat (plus one on the boom). With all that stuff we've still had enough room for weekend trips with four people and their stuff... and our friends always bring way more junk than they need. It was a squeeze, but it worked.

When Captain Vancouver was charting this area, he sent out 27' boats to explore all the little inlets. They had a crew of 14 men and would often be away from the ship for two to three weeks. I think you'll manage

Oh, the other things you don't always consider right away: where are you going to shower and do your laundry? You may be a bachelor, but still, once in a while would be nice... make sure you find a spot in a marina with appropriate facilities, and try to get a slip as close to those facilities as possible. It's a two-minute walk up the float from my boat to the nearest shower.

02-25-2009 08:18 AM

michaelmrc

i too have a 27ft catalina and i love it. i live onboard during the week for work then home for the weekend.granted there are a few thingsthat i finda little tight. i found a great link to someone elses catalina page that had some great tips just google judys catalina 27 some excellent storage ideas that i have been adapting into my boat. enjoy your adventure

02-13-2009 03:31 PM

djodenda

Jake:

Glad to see that you are moving forward with your boat purchase. When I lived aboard my Catalina 27, I kept the overflow in my VW van.. That helped a lot.

Let me know if I can help you in any way, either moving the boat or otherwise.

David

02-13-2009 03:06 PM

WouldaShoulda

Of course, sleeping on top of another 20yo wasn't so bad either, as I recall...

02-13-2009 12:33 PM

tager

You know what causes the least marina fires? Light bulbs. Incandescents are also great heaters, and cheap. Did I mention they make it bright an cheery inside the boat?

Space heaters will dry out the interior, as well as diesel heaters. Good ventilation is key. Put slats under your bed or prepare for condensation and mold.

Don't rent a storage unit, sell your stuff on craigslist.

02-13-2009 11:36 AM

WouldaShoulda

I wish I was young and could sleep on a sack of potatoes again.

02-13-2009 10:21 AM

smackdaddy

I sail a 1979 C27. Jotun's right - there's very, very little storage space. i don't know what layout your new boat has - but if you've got the dinette version, it's essentially like a very small travel trailer for 2.

Since you'll be living on it - I would highly recommend paying close attention to all the plumbing (head, fresh water, etc.). Ours is a disaster - with mold growing inside the water iines, etc. Since we just take her out for a couple days at most it's no big deal. For you, different story. Then there's the stove, blah, blah.

Finally, do a lot of research on heaters. You've got to be very careful. I'm sure there are lots of thread already here about this - and you'll get some good advice from other sailors here that have experience with them. But it's not something you want to screw up in such small quarters.

Finally, as to keeping her dry, most C27 owners I know agree that these old boats leak like sieves (ports, chain plates, vents, you name it). So unless everything's been re-bedded recently - just be prepared to work on a few leaks.

Definitely no reason you can't do it. But it's gonna be pretty spartan.

All that said, she'll sail great for you. They really are good old boats.

Enjoy dude.

02-13-2009 09:30 AM

Jotun

Rent a storage unit, because you won't have much room inside the boat!

01-25-2009 10:25 PM

findthejake

Oh and I also request a good suggestions for keeping her dry inside over this winter! Just a good heater?

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